The Decibel What’s stopping Canada from building better public transit
Feb 5, 2025
In this discussion, journalist Oliver Moore, who specializes in transit coverage for The Globe and Mail, unpacks the multifaceted hurdles that Canadian public transit projects face. He reveals how issues like cost overruns and project delays are rampant, impacting urban communities. Moore compares Canada’s struggles with similar challenges in other cities and discusses innovative solutions like automated trains. He also emphasizes the importance of political will and institutional cooperation for overcoming inefficiencies in transit development.
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Eglinton Crosstown LRT Woes
- Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown LRT, a light rail plan running across Midtown, exemplifies transit project woes.
- Started in 2011 with a 2020 completion goal, it faces ongoing delays, ballooning costs, and construction issues.
Anglosphere Transit Troubles
- Public transit project delays and cost overruns are common in English-speaking countries, suggesting cultural factors.
- These include loss of institutional knowledge, political meddling, cautious building practices, and risk aversion.
Broad Impact of Transit Failures
- Transit project failures negatively impact everyone, including politicians, taxpayers, and the general public.
- Delays increase expenses and cause public frustration, while hindering traffic solutions and public confidence.